Continuous positive air pressure improves orthonasal olfactory function of patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ute Walliczek-Dworschak - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • Werner Cassel - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • Luisa Mittendorf - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • Robert Pellegrino - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Ulrich Koehler - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • Christian Güldner - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • Philipp Otto Georg Dworschak - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • Olaf Hildebrandt - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • Hanna Daniel - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • Thomas Günzel - , Borromäus Hospital Leer gGmbH (Author)
  • Afshin Teymoortash - , University Hospital Gießen and Marburg (Author)
  • Thomas Hummel - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Objective Recent studies have suggested that patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) might be affected by olfactory impairment. However, more evidence is needed on the effect that OSA has on the chemical senses (olfaction and gustatory) of these patients, and whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment might help to reverse possible impairment. Methods A prospective study was conducted with 44 OSA patients (17 female and 27 male, mean age 54 ± 9.9 years) who were diagnosed via polysomnography and eligible for CPAP treatment. Orthonasal olfactory and gustatory function was measured with the extended Sniffin’ Sticks test battery and “taste strips,” respectively, before and after CPAP treatment. Results Baseline olfaction was decreased in OSA patients and after CPAP therapy olfactory scores (odor threshold-discrimination-identification score [TDI]: baseline 29.4 ± 4.11 after CPAP 32.3 ± 4.82; p = 0.001; odor threshold [THR]: baseline 5.28 ± 1.69 after CPAP 6.78 ± 2.61; p = 0.000; odor identification [ID]: baseline 12.9 ± 1.95 after CPAP 13.6 ± 1.33; p = 0.013) improved significantly. In contrast, neither baseline taste function in OSA patients nor gustatory function after treatment seemed to be affected. Conclusion Orthonasal olfactory function in patients with OSA improves under CPAP therapy; however, gustatory function is not impaired in OSA patients.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)24-29
Number of pages6
JournalSleep medicine
Volume34
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2017
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 28522094
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/181390152

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Continuous, Obstructive sleep apnea, Olfactory function, Positive airway pressure, Smell, Taste